Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse

Controversies and Best Practice

Kathleen Coulborn Faller

The only book on interviewing children about sexual abuse that has a critical review of the literature

Not a "how-to" book but rather a resource to aid professionals in determining the best practices for interviewing children

Makes what is often a "hot-button" subject, and one that people find hard and unpleasant to deal with, seem more rational and manageable

Written by a leading expert on child sexual abuse

Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse

Controversies and Best Practice

Kathleen Coulborn Faller

Description

Interviewing children who may been sexually abused is a daunting task fraught with far-reaching consequences for the children, families, institutions, and professionals involved. With no room for error, forensic and clinical interviewers must navigate the complex and often contradictory evidence that informs their decision making.

Here, Kathleen Coulborn Faller, a leading expert on child sexual abuse, critically analyzes the research on assessing child sexual abuse. Noting that issues such as memory and suggestibility, questioning techniques, the use of media, and false allegations remain hotly contested, chapters guide readers in applying available research to professional judgment while drawing also on best practice guidelines and conceptual,
clinical, and consensus-based writings. The only up-to-date resource of its kind,Interviewing Children About Sexual Abuse covers the entire interview process, showing professionals how to structure, document, and follow up on children's responses in interviews; work with children who are very young, have special needs, or come from diverse backgrounds; use standardized tests and measures; formulate conclusions about sexual abuse; and defend those decisions in a courtroom or clinical setting.

Mental health, forensic, and child welfare professionals will find in this volume a wealth of expert information that will guide them through the often murky, always emotional process of interviewing children about sexual abuse.

Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse

Controversies and Best Practice

Kathleen Coulborn Faller

Table of Contents

1. Forensic and Clinical Interviewer Roles in Child Sexual Abuse2. Children's Memory and Suggestibility3. Models for Assessing Child Sexual Abuse4. Interviewer Objectivity and Allegations of Sexual Abuse5. Number of Child Interviews6. Documentation of the Interview7. Interview Structure, Protocol, or Guidelines8. Questioning Techniques9. Media for Interviewing Children10. Special Considerations for Cases Involving Young Children11. Interviewing Children with Special Needs12. Conducting Culturally Competent Sexual Abuse Interviews with Children from Diverse Racial, Cultural, and Socio-Economic Backgrounds13. Children Who Do Not Want to Disclose14. False Allegations of Sexual Abuse15.
Standardized Tests and Measures16. Criteria for Deciding about the Likelihood of Sexual Abuse17. Formulating Conclusions about Sexual Abuse

Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse

Controversies and Best Practice

Kathleen Coulborn Faller

Author Information

Kathleen Coulborn Faller, Ph.D., A.C.S.W., is Professor of Social Work, Marion Elizabeth Blue Chair in Children and Families, and Director of the Family Assessment Clinic at the University of Michigan.

Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse

Controversies and Best Practice

Kathleen Coulborn Faller

Reviews and Awards

"While change is to be expected in this field, a milestone is needed from time to time and this is such a work. This book belongs in every clinic, every Child Advocacy Center and every agency in which children may be interviewed about sexual abuse." - David L. Chadwick, MD, Director Emeritus, Chadwick Center for Children & Families, Children's Hospital - San Diego

"Combining the best of the empirical research with years of practical experience talking to children, the authors provide interviewers practical ideas to improve the quality of their work with vulnerable children. This book is an important contribution to the field of child protection." -- John E.B. Myers, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Law, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

"This book is a valuable new resource for anyone who interviews children for legal investigations. Kathleen Faller and her contributing authors have given all of us who do this work a great new update and discussion of the latest research and controversies on child forensic interviewing. I recommend it highly!" - David L. Corwin, MD, Medical Director, Primary Children's Center for Safe and Healthy Families, and Professor and Chief, Pediatrics Division of Child Protection and Family Health, University of Utah School of Medicine

"If you assess allegations of child sexual abuse, this book will be your best friend! Here you will find the most relevant and recent assessment information based on critical evaluation of research and practice." - Barbara W. Boat, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati

"This book creates a valuable link between practical experience, empirical research, and the unique legal constraints of child interviewing, and will serve as a important resource for those called up to accurately and sensitively gather information from children." Charles Wilson, MSSW, Executive Director, Chadwick Center for Children & Families Children's Hospital - San Diego